Chapter 37- D A R I O
When I saw Hera in her dress with her makeup I knew she was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. But when she pulled her hair down, I knew I was done for- I was in love with Hera Drakos. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I refused to.
I watched her like a movie as she smiled when she took pictures with Keegan. I watched as she directed Ambrosio and Keegan how to pose, bending and standing on things to get the right angles. I watched as she couldn’t take herself seriously when it was her turn to pose for pictures. I could tell it wasn’t natural for her to be on the other side of the camera. Which seemed curious as she was exquisite.
I nearly jumped at Hera when Keegan suggested she take a few pictures with me. I could see the evil smile in Keeg’s eyes when she had us pose like we were going to prom; our bodies faced each other, Hera rested her hands on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her, she faced the camera and I just stared at her. Hera then instructed me to sit in the chair, like I was a boss, and she stood next to the chair, leaning against my knee while she stared into the camera.
We looked at the pictures and I was impressed. I know Keegan had malicious intent with the first picture, but we looked like a real couple. I was scared of how much I liked it. Keegan sent the pictures over to Hera then she followed Ambrosio out of the room. I don’t know what came over me when I grabbed Hera’s hand before she trailed behind Keegan. We were alone in her room and Hera stared into my eyes. I wanted to kiss her. But I stammered out,
“Boró na se vgálo mia fotografía?”
*“Can I take a picture of you?”*
Hera cocked her head slightly and gave me a weird look. Shit! I freaked her out. Her eyes turned dark blue and she finally asked,
“How do you want me?”
It took everything in me not to take her on the bed right behind her after she said that. It wouldn’t take much to pull up that dress. I started to wonder what kind of underwear she was wearing with it. I couldn’t see any evidence of undergarments. I cleared my throat to attempt to eliminate some of my arousal. I quickly pointed to the chair she had me sit in. Hera walked over and sat in the chair. I told her to hold her hand up but to look away out the window, seeming unbothered. I snapped a few pictures of her from different angles.
Hera quickly shot out of chair to see the pictures I took of her. She loved them and told me to send them to her. I promise I tried really hard not to look down her very low cut dress as she rattled off her phone number. I tried, but I did not succeed. After I sent Hera the pictures, I saved one as my wallpaper. I wanted to be able to see *my Hera* whenever I wanted. I didn’t think she noticed until she asked,
“Ti eínai aftó?”
*“What’s that about?”*
I didn’t look at her. How could I explain to this girl, who I’ve known all of 6ish hours, that I was completely obsessed with her? Obviously I couldn’t so I said some stupid shit about the picture being nice. I hoped she believed me, and she didn’t ask anything further as she left her room.
I followed her into the kitchen where Ambrosio and Keegan were waiting for us with shots. We all took one then went downstairs to the limo.
I tried not to act excited about being in a limo. I’ve only been in one once and that was for a funeral. The way the other three behaved, you would think they took a limo to elementary school every day.
Ambrosio pulled out a champagne bottle and popped it open. He passed us each a full glass and we all touched our glasses together and took a sip. I was about to ask what to expect at this party when we all heard Hera’s phone buzz through her purse. I saw that fuckin area code when she peaked into her bag and I nearly broke my glass in my hand. Hera silenced the call and looked up to see all three of us staring at her. She tried to relieve the tension by raising her glass and yelling,
“Happy New Years!”
The tension in the limo was heavy. I could tell Ambrosio was pissed. He ultimately lifted his glass to meet Hera’s and we all weakly touched our glasses. The rest of the ride was silent and thick with tension. Keegan and Ambrosio, who were regularly so entangled into each other you didn’t know where one began and the other one ended, were barely touching.
When the limo stopped in front of a very tall hotel, Hera flew out of the car. I quickly climbed out after her and had to scan the crowd to find where she ran off to. I found her clinging to an attractive older woman. I walked a few paces through the mass of sharply dressed people then gently touched Hera’s back when I reached her, letting her know I was there.
The attractive older woman looked at me and asked Hera,
“And who is this *gorgeous* man?”
I took the older woman's hand and kissed it. I realized it was the aunt I was suppose to assist when Ambrosio answered,
“This is Dario, the *help* we talked about.”
The aunt looked me up and down like I was a gazelle and she was a hungry lioness and said,
“Very good job, Ambrosio. He looks like he could get the job done.”
The aunt winked at me then led us into the hotel and to our table. I had never seen a “mafia party” before. There weren’t a lot of women, I noticed. Lots of goons in black suits. I assumed if these men did have women, they probably left them at home. No reason to parading about your weaknesses.
An ambitious waiter came to take our drink order then returned quickly with our drinks. We all took a sip when we heard Hera’s phone buzz again. At this point, Ambrosio had had enough.
“Apántise sto gamiméno tiléfono,”
*“Answer the fucking phone,”*
He growled. Hera tried to protest but Ambrosio barked at her,
“Apántisé to!”
*“Answer it!”*
I held my breath as I watched Hera obey the command. She tried to put the phone up to her ear but Ambrosio demanded the call be on speaker. When I heard *his* voice, I immediately became irrationally angry.
“Hera?! You can’t answer my call but you can post on instagram? And who the fuck was that man in the photo with you?”
Oh, *he* doesn’t like me being photographed with Hera? Under my anger I was amused, until *he* threatened me,
“I swear to god, Hera, if he as so much as touches you, I will personally kill him.”
I honestly would’ve loved to see him try. In fact, I welcomed it. Give me a chance to fulfill my purpose and kill the son of a bitch. *The Italian* demanded Hera get back on an airplane and go back to Sicily, and I was fuming. No way Hera let him talk to her like that. Ambrosio violently ripped the phone out of Hera’s hands and said,
“She’s not coming.”
Then he threw Hera’s phone on the ground, smashing it so *he* couldn’t get a hold of her anymore. I was relieved when I heard the phone shatter. Ambrosio tapped me on the chest and the both of us rose out of our seats harmoniously and I followed Ambrosio to the back of the banquet hall.